Testimonial : Conquering Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

At the start of the year things weren't looking too good for me - 2 stone (28lb) overweight and suffering from CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) - also known as ME. No energy, feeling sluggish, and whatever I seemed to do diet-wise, the excess weight would just not go.

A bit of research and reading led me to Paleo, and I came across Darryl's site. I must admit I contacted him with some trepidation - what if he says I'm too old/too overweight - but of course Darryl said neither of those things. Right from the start he instilled in me the confidence, mindset and hope that I can make positive health changes.

Exploring my goals with Darryl helped me to see that lifestyle changes for me weren't just about the weight loss - I wanted to have energy to play with my children, to be an active participant in their lives not a bystander, to not have to rely on coffee to prop me up during the day, to wake up feeling refreshed; actually just to feel good!

We arranged a Nutritional Consultation too, and Darryl's thorough advice and guidance helped me to adjust my diet and supplementation to help with the Chronic Fatigue. Moving to a Paleo diet also involved some big emotional adjustments for me - I hadn't eaten meat in 26 years - and Darryl's knowledge helped me to understand what I needed to do to ensure I was eating in the healthiest way possible to help my body.

I also started on Darryl's Virtual Fitness Programme, 3 sessions a week, it was fun, and tough but how proud did I feel when I did my first proper push up! 8 weeks later my strength had improved, clothes were getting too big, excess weight was reducing, my fitness had improved, and most importantly of all I had the energy I needed.  To go from 2 years of struggling to get out of bed every day to feeling invigorated is wonderful.

But this wasn't just about me, this was about me making changes for my family too, they deserve a healthy mum, and I asked them (in their own words) what they have noticed since I started my Paleo fitness journey:

"A lot of the time my mum was a bit poorly, she would stay in bed later and sit on the sofa a lot more. She is definitely a lot fitter now. She gets out of bed early now, she takes the dogs for walks more, and she plays with me and my sister more"

"My mum is going out a lot more now. When she was asked to go out with her friends before she would be too tired. Last year on holiday she would sometimes stay in the holiday cottage while we went out for the day. This year she didn't and she got in the swimming pool with us. We went out a lot more on holiday, and we go out more at home too."

This programme has made such a difference to my life and my well being already - I no longer feel resigned to a life of inactivity, weight gain and fatigue, I now have health and optimism, so thank you Darryl for instilling hope and setting me on this path.

- Linda

Testimonial: Change Your Life!

When Darryl first told me about the Paleo diet, in all honesty, I was a little skeptical. I have spent my whole adult life, like millions of others, exercising like mad, and trying to lose those stubborn pounds, and achieve the body I always dreamed of. I can also say honestly, I never understood the importance of nutrition and the type of movement in that equation.

We all want to look good, so we spend our lives at the mercy of diet companies and so called experts peddling crazy diet regimes, but we have all been massively miseducated, and mis-sold advice. The key to a happy, full and healthy life is not a quick fix, and is not a “diet” in the sense that we have become familiar, the key is to have a lifestyle and everyday diet that supports and nourishes our bodies the way they were designed, for life.

The Paleo diet will reintroduce your body to food that it was designed to digest and take nourishment from. Paleo Fitness will get you moving in ways that are beneficial to health.  I didn’t ever think anything would work in helping me achieve the body I wanted, and to keep it. I am glad to say, I was completely wrong. I am happier with my body than I’ve ever been, and I have seen repetitive and frustrating health niggles all but vanish. You really can change your life, and Darryl Edwards is the man to help you do it!

-Bella

Testimonial: Virtual Training (12 Weeks Later)

Testimonial: Virtual Training (12 Weeks Later)

40 years old today! How do I feel?

12 weeks ago I started my conversion to a Paleo lifestyle and undertook Darryl's distance training programme. I had a strong vision in mind - "Fit for 40" was my motto. I wanted to shape up, feel agile and full of vitality. I wanted to be the best Mumma I can be for my kids. Yes, I wanted to lose 30 lbs/14kg (and I have) but I REALLY wanted to be able to do a proper "man" press-up and fit into jeans I bought in New York ten years ago - well before I had my first child, never mind the second. And I can do those things too!

I genuinely haven't felt this vibrant since I was in my 20s. This week my trendy optometrist genuinely thought I was going to be 30 when I was discussing a "big birthday coming up" - and yes, it did make my day! Friends and family are regularly making comments like, "Wow, you look fantastic", "your skin looks amazing, what have you been doing?" and "how do you have so much energy!?". Which just goes to show, losing weight is not the same as gaining health! By week 8, the results were so tangible that my husband, sceptical and resistant, is now 100% on board with the Paleo lifestyle. He doesn't need to lose any weight, but he was inspired by how energised I am!

Waist at belly button:

Start - 98cm

8 weeks - 80cm

12 weeks - 76cm

Total - 22cm/8.7 inches

Love handles:

Start - 101cm

8 weeks - 88cm

12 weeks, 86cm

Total - 15cm/6inches

Hips:

Start - 112cm

8 weeks - 101cm

12 weeks, 97.5cm

Total - 14.5cm/5.7inches

This evening I am going out for dinner and wearing a UK size 8 (US size 4) silk dress. I feel amazing and so proud of what I have achieved in 12 short weeks. This has really transformed my life, and the benefits are tremendous! I can't thank you enough Darryl.

The First 14 Days!

Read about the challenges at Week 4

What was the state of play at Week 6?

My first 8 weeks!

Testimonial: Virtual Training (Texas)

Testimonial: Virtual Training (Texas)

In my ‘adult’ life I have experimented with a lot of different movement/exercise/get-your-butt-going programs. I’ve done belly-dancing, fencing, kick-boxing, jiu-jitsu, skateboarding, roller-derby practice, yoga, various group exercise classes, swimmercize, treadmills, gym memberships, and crossfit. All of those were great, and I had a lot of fun with most of them; however, something was lacking in all of them. It was the same thing over and over again. I’d go to class thrilled and excited, I’d go to the gym ready and pumped…but it faded. It faded, and I couldn’t figure out why. Even when there were exciting things. Even when the things changed. It faded. The excitement would die down. Why? I finally figured it out. I didn’t want to ‘go to’ something. I didn’t want to ‘just work out.’ I didn’t want to ‘practice.’ I didn’t want to ‘be the best.’ I just wanted to move and have fun doing so.

How could I do that and achieve my goals of fitness? How could I supplement my already healthy lifestyle? How could I egg myself along? Easy…the answer was training with Darryl Edwards! I knew Darryl’s playshops from PaleoFX. I had met Darryl, had taken his playshops, and had admired the activities happening when I couldn’t participate…so when the time came, I hopped on the chance to take his virtual training! I have to tell you, it was more than worth it! Darryl gets it. He asked for my goals, he said to be specific. He got me down to the nitty-gritty! Darryl worked with ME…with MY goals, within MY constraints and limitations…but he also pushed me and reminded me that not everything is easy, but everything CAN BE fun and games.

Darryl’s virtual training program is tough, I’m not gonna lie. It can be hard work. It can also be fun! The thing is, the training I got from The Fitness Explorer was centered on me, focused on my goals, supportive whether I was good at something or whether I felt I weak, and ever-changing. It also reminded me of how fun movement can be. How I can do a variety of things with just the stuff around me (be they traditional such as deadlifts or sprints or be they silly and playful like plankball or running backward).

I have to say, even though he’s all the way in the UK and I’m over here in Dallas, Texas (worlds apart), The Fitness Explorer, Darryl Edwards virtual training is an outstanding program! One I wish I could just live in! I feel I am the best me! It has made me realize the importance of not just working out, but moving and recognizing what I can do with the environment around me, regardless of what that is! Nothing compares! NOTHING!

-Rachel Flowers